rome and clem

part fourteen

walking into his house felt different. that was most likely because of the warm presence behind him.

clem shivered in the cold, wrapping her small arms her curvy hips. "will you unlock the door?" she asked, teeth gritting.

rome chuckled, "oh but I enjoy your pain so much, clementine." he smirked, glancing at her over his shoulder.

she growled, pushing him against the door.

"ow, fuck!" he cursed, pushing the door open. he held the his torso while he walked inside, frowning.
"that was really rude."

"so are you," she winked, tossing her bag on his couch like she's been to his house plenty of times. "woah. it's..." she began, eyes glazing over everything that made his house his.

the endless stacks of mail. dishes that towered in the sink. ample amounts of clothing on the floor. not even one picture frame covered the wall.

"why don't you have any family pictures or anything?" she asked, a pout itching onto her face.

the downturn plump of her velvet lips made him stir. even when she was sad she was by far the most beautiful woman, rome's ever seen.

he shrugged, walking into the kitchen as they followed close behind. "dunno. it's only me and my ma. there's no point." he replied, collecting two beers out of the fridge. he gestured one to clem to which she grasped out of his hand.

mumbling a 'thanks' she opened the bottle. rome didn't open his yet though. his focus mainly on the girls lips sucking onto the glass bottle. his mouth felt dry suddenly and he forgot to breathe.

"oh, rome??" she sang in a sweet voice.

"Hmm?" he hummed.

"show me your room." she muttered quietly.

rome sucked in a breath. he bit down on his cheeks to contain the smirk that threatened to spill out. "c'mon." he gestured for her to follow him. beer still in both of their hands as they jetted up the small length of steps to the door on the hall.

rome's room.

"this is it." he grumpled. gulping down the intoxicating liquid as he slumped on the floor, leaning his head back on his bed frame.

he watched her smile. her perfect white teeth, one was chipped in the back he noticed. he took note to ask her what happened to it one day. her chocolate eyes wandered up and down the dark walls in his room. the pictures, drawings of people of different heritage and backgrounds that hung on his walls. a single desk and bed made up his room, then of course his closet which was closed shut much like his feelings.

"so?" he asked.

"I like it." she nodded, slumping down next to him. "you drew those?" she asked, her finger lifting and pointing to the papers on the wall.

he nodded, "yeah. just something I do to pass time."

"your fucking amazing." she smiled, a chuckle emitting from her lips which caused an inevitable grin to perk on his lips.

"thanks I guess." he shrugged.

"don't I guess me." she nudged his shoulders. "you have real talent. have you thought of joining the art club at school?" she asked.

rome turned to look at her, their faces only breaths away. her eyes looked so invested into their conversation, into rome's so called talent it made something inside of him to clench. something in his chest.

"rome?" she whispered, a cheeky grin evident on her soft features. curls were falling forward on her face as she turned to face him, herself, making them sit even closer to each other. her hand began raking up to tuck the loose hairs away from her face, but rome beat her to it. his lanky fingers gently curling around the curls, wrapping them around his fingers slowly, temptingly, and then he tucked it behind her small ear.

her eyes watching his own as his fingers worked her hair.

"thanks." she stuttered out.

he nodded, clearing his throat. their faces turning away from each other. "sorry."

"why are you apologizing?" she asked, her voice raising along with her brows.

"I just- I don't know. i've never really apologized to anyone before." he furrowed his brows at himself.

she snorted a laugh, "right. course not." she shook her head.

they sat in a comfortable silence for a few passing minutes. just relaxing in each other's presence. enjoying the time not being alone, rome especially. it was new for him because he used to love being alone. he used to love it just being rome. but it was different with clem.

clem is better than anything.

"rome. I'm home!" someone shouted from downstairs.

"fuck! fuck, fuck." rome jumped up off the ground, pacing the room, and tugging harshly at his hair.

"what? what?!" she hissed, standing up herself.

he exhaled deeply, turning around to face clem,

"my moms home."